The Mandalorian and the Nativity both tell the story of a child entering a dark world who, though rejected by some, has the potential to bring hope and a new direction to life. Don't worry, there are no spoilers in this reflection for the 4th Sunday of Advent!
Rejoicing in a dark place (3rd Sunday of Advent)
Living in a pandemic, it can be very hard to appreciate how we are supposed to rejoice on this Gaudete (Rejoice!) Sunday. The Gospel today (John 1) gives us hope. It tells us that Jesus is light in the darkness. When we are in a dark place, a little light makes a big difference. We can rejoice by recognizing the small ways Jesus is a light to us and by being a light to those around us.
COVID Desert (2nd Sunday of Advent)
The COVID pandemic has been like the wilderness or desert experiences we read about in the Bible. At different times, God's people found themselves in a literal or figurative desert. These were times of suffering, confusion and disruption. We can have hope because in the midst of these desert experiences God always proclaims a message of comfort to his people: God's saving help is on the way! Desert experiences are transformed into times of renewal. We, like the people in the readings today (Isaiah 40:1-11; Mark 1:1-8), are called to prepare ourselves to receive this salvation that comes at Christmas in a new way.
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